Have you noticed that people react to you differently based on what you wear? Do certain outfits lend you special treatment and others yield the silent treatment? Has a sharp suit won you a seat upgrade on a plane? Have sweatpants made you feel like a leper at the grocery store? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’ve experienced the social dynamics of clothing.

Judging someone solely on attire may seem unfair. Really, I’m the same person whether I’m sporting Prada or Payless. I still drink milk out of a wine glass and prefer my sandwiches cut in triangles, no matter what I’m wearing. But there’s no avoiding it: Looks matter, and there's no reason why we can’t use that to our advantage.

Why Looks Matter

So you might be thinking, “Duh. I kind of already knew that.” Homeless-guy fashion does not lend itself well to social gatherings, and socks on ears are generally frowned upon (excluding a few very fashion-forward designers). I agree with you. And that’s why I’d like to scratch the socio-apparel surface a bit deeper.

My goal is to offer you research-based facts that may prompt you to rethink the garb you grab when standing before your closet in the morning. I aim to show you that picking the right apparel can prove very valuable. Moreover, clothes can, in part, determine your success with women, how much money you make and the way people treat you in general. I’ll also include fashion tips to help you conquer each domain. There are some mighty big claims here — let’s see if there’s any truth to them.

Clothes Affect Your Success With Women

In one university study, women rated the attractiveness of one man dressed in several different getups. Outfits ranged from a designer suit and tricked-out watch all the way down to a lowly fast-food uniform. As you can imagine, ladies preferred the power suit to the burger-flipping one. But it’s why they chose the businessman that’s important.

The study notes that girls actively sought signs of “status” when judging the man’s clothes, and they liked that look better because it suggested a good provider. In other words, women do care what you wear, and this is why looks matter. Girls favor a put-together guy because it's likelier he can put food on the table. Does this make all women gold diggers? Not exactly. Though like the humble homing pigeon, which can detect subtle signs to lead it home, women’s brains are awesomely adept at spotting signs on men that point to prosperity. (Note: Women do not have the brains of pigeons. Don’t pin that on me.)

So, clothes can be a tool to boost your standing with the opposite sex, but what kind of style should you be channeling? Fortunately, you don’t have to be a billionaire to win a lady’s hand. More realistically, you just have to nail the right details.

The goods you need to command a girl’s attention: A quality timepiece, a fitted (though not necessarily designer) suit, a well-polished pair of oxfords or boots, and a crisp button-down shirt. Equipped with these style essentials, you can scientifically increase your chances with women. (Note: Unless you respond to the name Kanye, never "over-bling” yourself. The risk of looking like a Christmas ornament stands too great.

Not convinced that looks matter? Here's how a few tweaks to your wardrobe can lead to a raise at work...